Rubber blade for wiper

ABSTRACT

Provided is a rubber blade for an automotive wiper capable of autonomously pressing firmly and resting securely against a windshield surface by altering the structure of the rubber blade. The rubber blade has a head portion forming an upper portion of the rubber blade. The head portion includes a pair of mounting slots for mounting the rubber blade along a wiper frame. The pair of mounting slots has a sectional offset angle (θ 1 ), dependant on the disposition of the wiper frame. A central axis in a center between the pair of mounting slots in a sectional view of the blade is offset by an angle (θ 3 ) from a vertical axis (L 1 ). A wiping portion forms a lower portion of the rubber blade for contacting the windshield, and is disposed in the direction of the vertical axis (L 1 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a rubber blade for an automotive wiper,and more particularly, to a rubber blade for an automotive wiper that ischanged in structure and shape so that it autonomously presses securelyagainst an automotive windshield.

2. Description of the Related Art

An automotive wiper is a device for wiping a vehicular windshield clearof rain and other foreign substances. A wiper motor installed inside thevehicle drives a mechanical linkage to move wiper arms back and forth ina predetermined arc. Disposed on the end of the wiper arm is adetachably mounted wiper frame to which a wiper blade made of rubber isattached.

Conventional wipers attached to wiper arms include a skeletal frame anda blade portion mounted on the frame and contacting a windshield to wipeit, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3.

A conventional wiper 10 includes: a main frame 12 having an adapter 11thereon for mounting the wiper 10; a first frame 16 symmetricallymounted on rivet joints 13 at either end of the main frame 12, andhaving a blade bracket 15 for evenly distributing load on the blade 14and holding the blade 14 inserted therein; a second frame 17symmetrically mounted on rivet joints 13 at either end of the firstframe 16, and having blade brackets 15 on either end thereof for evenlydistributing load on the blade 14 and holding the blade 14 insertedtherein; a blade 14 having a mounting slot 19 formed thereon along whichresilient tension springs 18 and 18 a having a predetermined elasticityare inserted, the resilient tension springs applying a predeterminedload furnished by the first and second frames 16 and 17 along the lengthof the blade 14 so that the blade 14 presses evenly against a windshieldwhen wiping it; and a metallic tension spring 18 and 18 a inserted alongthe length on either side of the blade 14 to support the load furnishedby the first and second frames 16 and 17.

Here, in order for the main frame 12 to transmit the movement of thewiper arm 10 to an arcuate movement of the blade 14, the wiper 10, blade14, and the tension springs 18 and 18 a that provide resilience to theblade 14 converge at one point so that they move in unison according tothe movement of the wiper 10. Also, the first and second frames 16 and17 evenly distribute load furnished by the main frame 12, and, alongwith the main frame 12, are press-formed to have holes formed therein tofacilitate water drainage and reduce weight.

The blade 14 has a groove 20 running lengthwise therealong for guidingthe blade brackets 15 of the first and second frames 16 and 17, and aseparate mounting slot 19 for accommodating the tension springs 18 and18 a that provide resilience to the blade 14.

In the structure of this type of wiper, because the main frame 12 andthe first and second frames 16 and 17 are formed separately from sheetmetal and assembled together with the blade 14 and the tension springs18 and 18 a, in snowy and icy conditions of winter, the connecting andcoupling portions of the unit can be hampered by frozen precipitationand thus not function properly. Accordingly, blade tension or otherproperties of the wiper can be affected so that the wiper is unable toaptly fulfill its wiping role.

Also, because the load on the blade is applied at certain points on theblade, it is unevenly distributed along the length of the blade. Thisunevenness causes premature wear of blade areas that are morecompressed, while less compressed areas are prone to streak or overshootthe windshield glass underneath.

From a manufacturing point of view, the various components that arecombined to form the wiper require multiple molds, which makes qualitycontrol that much more difficult, and increases the number of assemblyprocesses that ultimately leads to a higher retail price.

The wiper shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 does not have a main frame supporting ametal frame separately from a blade, but has tension springs 18 and 18 ainserted in the blade 14, over which a rubber cover 21 covers the unit.

That is, the mounting slot 19 is formed along the lengths on either sideof the blade 14, tension springs 18 and 18 a are inserted into eachmounting slot, and a rubber cover 21 that functions as a spoiler is theninserted over the unit to conceal the tension springs 18 and 18 a. Thisstructure uses fewer parts than the above-mentioned conventional wiper,and thus avoids the problems caused by winter icing and other problemsassociated with wipers formed of multiple components.

However, a problem with the foresaid wiper is that the aggregate tensionof the two tension springs 18 and 18 a and the rubber cover 21necessitate the wiper arm maintaining an increased load on the wiper forthe wiper to be operationally effective, unduly stressing the mechanism.Also, this type of wiper is not interchangeable with existing wiper armson vehicles that have a tension preset for the above-mentionedmulti-point-type wiper blade. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, becausethe wiper requires the rubber spoiler-cum-cover to complete theformation thereof, the latter item cannot be omitted.

Another conventional type of wiper, shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, is formedwith a separate spoiler 22 fitted at the top of the rubber blade thatthe tension springs 18 and 18 a are inserted into. This type of bladeprevents vibration, while maintaining a secure and even contact with awindshield.

However, because this wiper structure has an adapter 11 and frame 12disposed in a vertical axis (H) direction of the adapter 11, the frame12 or the tension spring by themselves cannot function as a spoiler.Therefore a separately formed spoiler is required, complicating theoverall structure, and creating the possibility of vibration or juddercaused by the spoiler and wind noise when pressed against a windshield.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is designed to solve the problems of the priorart, and therefore an object of the invention is to provide rubber bladefor a wiper capable of enabling the retention of an overall dispositionof the wiper at a favorable predetermined angle, preventing streakingand judder, and maintaining a secure contact of the blade to awindshield.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rubber blade for a wiperthat has a structure allowing the even distribution of a desired loadalong the blade on a windshield for improved wiping capability, and asecurer contact of the blade to the windshield so that noise caused byjudder or streaking during driving is reduced.

In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention providesa wiper having a frame supporting a rubber blade that closely contacts asurface of an automotive windshield and being attached to a wiper armfor pressing and operating the wiper against and across the windshieldvia an adapter, and a tension spring having a predetermined tension andinserted along a mounting slot of the rubber blade for evenlydistributing load along the blade onto the windshield, wherein the wiperincludes: a head portion forming an upper portion of the rubber bladeand having a mounting slot for mounting the rubber blade to the frame,the mounting slot being inclined at an offset angle θ1 dependant on adisposition of the frame, such that a normal line of a cross section ofthe mounting slot is offset by a predetermined angle θ3 from a verticalaxis L1 of the rubber blade; and a wiping portion forming a lowerportion of the rubber blade for contacting the windshield, the wipingportion being disposed in a direction of the vertical axis L1.

The wiper of the present invention may also include an air pocketdisposed on an upper side of the rubber blade for imparting addeddeforming and recovering elasticity thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional automotivewiper;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the assembly of thetension springs of a conventional wiper blade;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the assembly of the tension springsof a conventional wiper blade;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another type of conventional automotivewiper;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the automotive wiper of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of yet another type of conventionalautomotive wiper;

FIG. 6B is a sectional view of the automotive wiper of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rubber blade for an automotive wiperaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the rubber blade for an automotivewiper of FIG. 7 in an assembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rubber blade for an automotive wiperaccording to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a sectional viewshowing the rubber blade for an automotive wiper of FIG. 7 in anassembled state.

The rubber blade for an automotive wiper shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may becompatible with wipers using conventional rubber blades (includingwipers that are formed with a tensile member having a frame integratedwith a tension spring and joined with a bent adapter).

Specifically, the rubber blade of the present invention can be appliedto all kinds of wipers including: a frame supporting a rubber bladepressing against a windshield surface while the frame is simultaneouslyconnected via an adapter to a wiper arm that moves the wiper back andforth across the windshield; and a tension spring inserted along a sloton a rubber blade when mounting to the blade, the tension spring havinga predetermined tension for distributing load evenly across the bladeagainst the windshield.

In further detail, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the upper portion of therubber blade 50 has a head portion 52 defining a mounting slot 51 formounting the blade to a frame 60. The mounting slot 51 of the headportion 52 is inclined at an offset angle θ1 according to thedisposition of a frame 60, such that a normal line of a cross section ofthe mounting slot 51 is offset by a predetermined angle from a verticalaxis L1 of the rubber blade 50. The lower portion of the rubber blade 50that contacts a windshield is a wiping portion 53, which is formedperpendicularly on the vertical axis L1.

Also, an air pocket 54 that aids in the deforming and rebounding of therubber blade may be defined at one side of the upper portion of therubber blade 50.

The head portion 52 of the rubber blade 50 that mounts to the frame 60may be disposed to have a tilt according to the overall disposition ofthe frame 60 so that it increases the blade's contact with a windshieldsurface and thus, the blade's wiping capability, and also reduces airresistance.

The above-described rubber wiper blade of the present invention has thefollowing characteristics.

As shown in FIG. 8, because the head portion 52 is offset at an angle θ3with respect to a vertical axis L1, the frame 60 has the same offset.When the rubber blade is mounted through the mounting slots 51 to theframe 60, the tilt of the wiper against a windshield is a secure anglethat inherently acts as a spoiler for oncoming airflow (a).

Additionally, because the head portion 52 and the wiping portion 53 areformed at an angle to each other, even though the frame is not disposedat a 90° with respect to a windshield, the profile of the rubber blade50 is held to retain a disposition of nearly 90° with respect to thewindshield, so that the blade presses firmly and securely against thewindshield for superior wiping capability.

Furthermore, due to the built-in crook of the rubber blade 50, when therubber blade 50 is mounted to the frame 60, even if the rubber blade 50is non-linear with the frame 60, it can still press securely against awindshield, contacting the windshield at an angle close to 90°.

Here, through adjustment of the angle between the frame 60 and therubber blade 50, when the rubber blade 50 is pressed in its entiretyagainst an automotive windshield surface, the frame 60 may be adjustedso that the blade is disposed almost perpendicularly to the windshieldso that the blade presses firmly against the windshield.

When the blade is pressed against the automotive windshield, the frame's60 leading edge is disposed lower than the frame's trailing edge. Theoffset of the frame 60 and rubber blade 50 from a perpendicular axis maybe freely adjusted. That is, the perpendicular angle of deflection ofthe rubber blade 50 and the frame 60 can be freely adjusted.

The air pocket 54 formed on a side of the rubber blade 50 augments thedeforming and rebounding ability of the rubber blade 50 to increase theblade's overall elasticity.

The rubber blade for the wiper according to the present invention has aninherent tilt and is coupled to the frame, so that the wiper can act asa spoiler for oncoming airflow. Despite the wiper blade beingstructurally disposed at an angle other than 90° with respect to thewindshield, the sectional profile of the rubber blade can be bent andconnected to be disposed at an angle close to 90° with respect to thewindshield, so that the blade closely and securely contacts thewindshield for maintaining superior wiping capability.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus,it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A rubber blade for a wiper having a flat tension spring frame, saidrubber blade comprising: a head portion having: a first part; and asecond part connected to said first part by a first hinge, said secondpart having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface andsaid first part defining mounting slots located on both sides of thefirst hinge to receive the flat tension spring frame and being parallelso that a first axis extends perpendicularly through the first hingebetween the slots; a wiping portion being connected to the lower surfaceof said second part of said head portion by a second hinge and having asecond axis; and an air pocket formed on a side of the first axisopposite to the direction of convergence, the air pocket comprising alongitudinal groove extending along a length of the rubber blade therebyfacilitating deforming and recovering elasticity to the rubber blade,wherein said upper surface and said lower surface converge towards eachother in a direction of a lower edge of a windshield.
 2. The rubberblade according to claim 1, wherein, said head portion and said wipingportion are unitary.
 3. The rubber blade according to claim 1, whereinsaid mounting slot of said blade, in use, receives the flat tensionspring frame and, when said blade is disposed on the frame and is placedagainst a windshield, the flat tension spring frame defines an anglewith respect to the windshield thereby acting as a spoiler.